Facing off with reporters Wednesday for the first time since stories broke that his former aide was assigned to handle women's issues even after being charged with assault for attacking his ex-girlfriend with a knife in 2008, Vitter flatly denied that was the case. Facing off with reporters Wednesday for the first time since stories broke that his former aide was assigned to handle women's issues even after being charged with assault for attacking his ex-girlfriend with a knife in 2008, Vitter flatly denied that was the case. He added that allegation was "just one of several issues that have been completely misreported." (Vitter did not elaborate on what else has been misreported). Furer was reportedly listed on a Congressional directory as handling women's affairs, and Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence director Beth Meeks said that she was directed to discuss domestic abuse legislation with Furer just weeks before his resignation. At a campaign stop in Alexandria, Vitter said Furer did handle abortion issues but not "women's affairs." Watch Vitter's initial interview below:
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party and Vitter's re-election opponent, Democrat Charlie Melancon, have siezed on Vitter's denials about Furer and women's issues, describing them as an outright lie. Melancon has just released a new Web ad, as well as a "warrant" petition telling Vitter to come clean.